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I have no direct experience with classified information process in US government. But I highly doubt that anyone can un-classify something without paperwork tra

by lsh123 5y ago

I have no direct experience with classified information process in US government. But I highly doubt that anyone can un-classify something without paperwork trail. Imagine a situation when CIA sends top secret briefing to the Secretary of State based on sensitive information from a spy. Declassification of this briefing might result in spy being executed. Thus, I highly doubt that the Secretary of State can declassify this briefing just by herself. Edit: even the president can’t just declassify docs and had to consult with FBI (and accept their redactions): https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/19/trump-doj-declassify-russia-probe-documents-460511 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/19/trump-doj-declassif...

shadowgovt 5y ago
You'll have to point to the regulation that declares that the Secretary of State cannot. Wanton burning of intelligence assets is generally backstopped by the President firing an incompetent Secretary of State, not the law. For offices below the Secretary of State, there are laws.
- lsh123 5y ago
  Ops, I pressed the wrong reply and replied to you in another thread —- sorry!
jancsika 5y ago
You started: > I have no direct experience with classified information process in US government. You then have an edit where you make a broad claim about the power of the president to declassify documents. However, the article you linked doesn't make any claim about limits on the Office of the President to declassify documents. It only describes the standard process Trump was following to declassify those documents. You should take some time to look into this issue more deeply, as there is a lot written about the power of the president to declassify documents. (Unless of course you are attempting to anger the internet into revealing its answers by making bold assertions, in which case well played, my friend :)
- lsh123 5y ago
  Thanks, sorry I should have used different wording. I agree that the president has the power to classify/declassify anything. My example was that the president on the last day in the office followed the procedure to declassify documents highly important for him instead of taking photos on the phone and posting on Twitter ;)

by lsh123 5y ago

shadowgovt 5y ago

You'll have to point to the regulation that declares that the Secretary of State cannot. Wanton burning of intelligence assets is generally backstopped by the President firing an incompetent Secretary of State, not the law. For offices below the Secretary of State, there are laws.

lsh123 5y ago
Ops, I pressed the wrong reply and replied to you in another thread —- sorry!

jancsika 5y ago

You started: > I have no direct experience with classified information process in US government. You then have an edit where you make a broad claim about the power of the president to declassify documents. However, the article you linked doesn't make any claim about limits on the Office of the President to declassify documents. It only describes the standard process Trump was following to declassify those documents. You should take some time to look into this issue more deeply, as there is a lot written about the power of the president to declassify documents. (Unless of course you are attempting to anger the internet into revealing its answers by making bold assertions, in which case well played, my friend :)

lsh123 5y ago
Thanks, sorry I should have used different wording. I agree that the president has the power to classify/declassify anything. My example was that the president on the last day in the office followed the procedure to declassify documents highly important for him instead of taking photos on the phone and posting on Twitter ;)